A man remains in hospital as a County Durham community tries to return to normal following a devastating house explosion that has left a terraced home beyond decimated.
Residents of Coronation Terrace in Willington described waking to the sky flashing white and a blast like a “clap of thunder” just before 2am this morning (June 24) when their neighbour’s house exploded.
Blue flames and a colossal fireball were seen by locals who opened their curtains to see the blast inferno as emergency services rushed to the scene to find the home in ruin.
Debris was seen scattered along the ground littering the path was the sight first responders arrived to as residents scrambled to aid a man caught up in the blast as the house burned.
Dozens of homeowners were subsequently forced out of their homes for their own safety – and some were allowed back inside after nearly two hours.
Durham Constabulary have confirmed that one man was rushed to hospital with “serious injuries” and the street was cordoned off whilst safety tests were carried out.
A statement said: “Officers responded to reports of a house explosion at around 1.30am today (June 24) in Coronation Terrace, Willington.
“A man sustained serious injuries during the incident and has been taken to hospital by paramedics for treatment.
“A cordon has been put in place around the property while emergency services work at the scene.
“Nearby residents have been evacuated as a precaution and people are advised to avoid the area.”
Following the devastating blast, residents told The Northern Echo of their shock and horror when they woke to see the explosion unfold.
One local, who wished to be known as David, “saw everything” and captured shocking pictures of the flames as he headed to the scene to help.
He explained: “It was at 1:27am - that’s the time my clocks stopped. I could hear a man shouting and crying for help, a lady was shouting out for help.
“I got dressed and went around and there were two people already stood there. I saw him stood in the rubble with the flames behind him.”
Pauline Ford, who lives on nearby Kensington Terrace, compared the explosion to thunder.
She explained: “I heard the blast then came down and looked out the back window to hear shouting.
“There were quite a few people out on the street too, at the time it seemed like it was quite serious.”
“It was really shocking. I thought my house was falling down. It’s just really awful, I feel for the lad who lives there.”
Another neighbour, Angela Graham, saw her own home damaged by debris and has been left with a hole in her roof.
She told the Echo: “We are just really shocked. You see things like this, but never believe it’s going to happen near you.”
“The house has just been left in an absolute mess - I don’t know how we haven’t lost our back windows. We have got a hole in the roof.”
Dad of one Jake Wilden told the Echo how he sprung into action upon hearing the blast and rushed to get his wife, son, and dog to safety.
He said: “It woke us up at about half past one. I rushed to make sure my son was okay and saw the fire through the curtains. I opened them and there was the flames - they were blue.
“Dad instincts kicked in and I grabbed my family and took them outside. We weren’t allowed back in until around 3:40am.
“The blast sounded like a lighting strike.”
Doorbell footage of the moment the home exploded has since surfaced – showing debris flying into the air as it goes up in flames.
The footage was provided by photographer Colin Hunter, who runs Neandercol Photography and lives just metres from the home.
The 69-year-old, who has lived on the road for 10 years, captured the flames pouring from the site as emergency services arrived on the scene just minutes later.
Police cordoned off the area while crews tackled the fire - with several nearby residents being forced to evacuate their homes.
While Mr Hunter wasn’t evacuated, he noted that police “wouldn’t let him down the road” this morning due to the impact of the blast.
County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Service (CDDFRS) have confirmed an investigation in to the blast will take place in due course.
They said: “Our crews will remain in the area today alongside colleagues from Durham Constabulary, Durham County Council and Northern Gas Networks to assess the site and ensure it is structurally safe.
“We know this will be concerning for local residents and if you live in the area please listen to the advice and instruction of the emergency services.
“An investigation will take place into the incident in due course.”
A North East Ambulance Service spokesperson said: "We were called to a house explosion in Coronation Terrace, Willington, shortly after 1.30am this morning (24 June).
"We dispatched one ambulance crew, a duty officer and four crews from our Hazardous Area Response Team. We also requested support from Great North Air Ambulance Service.
Read more on the Willington explosion:
"One patient has been taken to the RVI for further treatment."
Members of the Northern Gas Networks (NGN) were at the scene throughout the day, assisting police and fire crews.
James Knox, business operations lead for NGN said: “Our engineers are on site at the request of the emergency services, and are supporting them with their investigations.”
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